Ok, I'm writing my dissertation on sharing virtual worlds between platforms, similar to how FFXI did it where players on the 360, PS2 and PC could all play against each other in the same world.

I've got about 4 weeks left to finish it and I'm struggling to find examples of games which have employed some sort of multi-platform access to their servers and how they've done it. I've found a few games like Ragnarok online, Final Fantasy XI and Shadow of Legend to name a few, but most seem to be unavailable in NA/EU areas and theres very little information on how they managed or failed at it and why.

I was wondering if any of the VGChartz community could throw me some pointers at games that have done or tried to do this or even better articles or websites that cover the subject. I know Unreal Tournament 3 was originally meant to offer cross-platform games between PS3 and PC, but decided not to, and games like Champions online for the 360 got cancelled because they decided to focus on the PC version.

Would you like to be able to play against friends on the same game on other consoles? Do you think it's a stupid idea? Why?

As an MMO player would you like to be able to carry on playing on your IPhone, Console or handheld and why?

Do you think it would put you off playing a game if other players on the same server were more or less advantaged than you due to the platform they were playing from or do you think you'd accept the differences as long as it didn't give anyone too much of an advantage? For example someone on a console without a keyboard couldn't text-chat as quickly as a PC player or someone on a mobile couldn't do voice chat and would be heavily restricted by graphics and lag.

Any thoughts, opinions or pointers would be brilliant thanks. :)

Unreal Tournament on Dreamcast featured cross-platform play against PC

Cheers, I'll look that one up. I think Phantasy star online did similar on the dreamcast too.

Poor old Dreamcast, great system, just too early for it's time. :(

Microsoft at one point made this part of their GFWL initiative. Shadowrun, Lost Planet, Universe at War and few other titles featured 360/PC crossplatform play as a result.

thekitchensink said: Unreal Tournament on Dreamcast featured cross-platform play against PC

Really? I can't imagine that worked out well for anyone on the Dreamcast.

OT: Shadowrun is the most recent one I can think of.

Sweet, thanks. Had shadowrun on my list to look at, but didn't think about checking out the GFWL initiative, lost planet or universe at war. :)

Can't imagine how people would want to play UT vs PC guys on a dreamcast either, lol. Was only 56k modems back then too, wouldda been laggy as anything!

Final Fantasy 14 will feature again  Cross Platform(PS3 <-> PC) and Cross Region(all over the world)

I wouldn't want that, cba reading every 2 minutes that Blueray player+free online+ best graphics>gaylo

Lol, well M$ scrapped cross-platform games because windows live becamse free on PC since PC players didn't want to pay to play against each other when it's always been free.

The next ones coming out are FFXIV Online and DC Universe Online both for PC and PS3 cross-platform play. Plus The Agency is still due for release, which is another PS3 MMO, though they dropped cross-platform play for that.

So I'm sorry Huya but I think you're gonna be hearing a lot about PS3 MMOs and the advantage of free online in the not so distant future. It's also the reason theres no BBC I Player on the UK xbox 360 as the BBC offered M$ the service but M$ only wanted to give it to gold subscribers. BBC turned round and told them to stuff it because the British pay a license fee for BBC programs and M$ shouldn't be able to charge people to recieve their services.

Edit: As a further point it's interesting how FFXI is the only one to have done full cross platform so far, where many fail because of company policies and online fees etc. I guess Square Enix has a lot of weight to throw about.

Lol XboxLIVE Gamers Would Own PS3 gamers IMO